Pennington County Jail

Q: Does Pennington County have bail?

Does Pennington County have bail? Yes, Pennington County recognizes most types of bonds.

Q: What kind of bonds are accepted in Pennington County?

What kind of bonds are accepted in Pennington County? Pennington County recognizes most types of bonds. The court will consider what type of bonds will be accepted depending on the circumstances of the arrest. Minnesota offers several types of pre-trial release including unconditional, conditional, or cash/surety bail.

Q: Who can set bail in Pennington County?

Who can set bail in Pennington County? Depending on the charge(s) bail may be set according to a bail schedule or at the discretion of the judge.

Q: When is bail set in Pennington County Minnesota?

When is bail set in Pennington County Minnesota? Bail is set at the defendant’s first court hearing, or arraignment. State law requires this hearing be scheduled within 48 hours of arrest, except for weekends or holidays.

Q: How do I find out if someone has been arrested and booked into the Pennington County Jail?

How do I find out if someone has been arrested and booked into the Pennington County Jail? To find out if someone you know has been recently arrested and booked into the Pennington County Jail, call the jail’s booking line at 218-416-7097. There may be an automated method of looking them up by their name over the phone, or you may be directed to speak to someone at the jail. Sometimes the jail staff may ask you the offender’s date of birth to ensure privacy of the offender’s status. Keep in mind that after an arrest, the information on an offender may not be publicly available for several hours. If you don’t want to check up on an offender by calling the jail, you can also try looking up people recently booked online. Pennington County Jail Booking Roster

Q: What happens during booking in Pennington County?

What happens during booking in Pennington County? After being arrested and taken into custody, and after being read their Miranda Rights, an offender will next be transported to the local police or department or the Sheriff’s Department in Pennington County for booking. Booking is very involved and requires multiple steps in the process, however, keep in mind that most attorneys will advise that an offender remain silent and not offer any additional information about the crime they have been arrested for because anything they do say may be recorded and may very well be used against them in court.

Q: What is the booking process like at the Pennington County Jail?

What is the booking process like at the Pennington County Jail? Booking includes having their photo (mugshot) and fingerprints taken, as well as being asked a lot of questions about their personal history and state of mind. If it’s a serious felony, their DNA may also be taken. They will also be checked for warrants in Pennington County and other Minnesota and USA jurisdictions. If the offender was arrested for a DUI offense, and has refused a breathalyzer test, they may also be forced to have blood drawn by a doctor or nurse. It is also very likely that the offender will undergo a humiliating full body search while in the nude. This includes bending over, spreading their cheeks in the direction of an officer, and coughing. They will also be walked through a metal detector or x-ray machine, like those used at an airport.

Q: What kind of questions are asked during booking?

What kind of questions are asked during booking? The arresting jurisdiction will ask about gang affiliations, tattoos, medical conditions, prescribed medication they are taking, recreational drugs they are on or addicted to, allergies, if they are suicidal, and other relevant information that will help with determining their cell assignment and special needs. What happens with an offender’s personal property during booking? During the arrest and booking process an offender will also have all their personal property confiscated and held for either their release from jail, or with the offender’s approval, released to a friend or family member. Personal property includes the clothing they are wearing, money, wallets, purses, cell phones, jewelry, body rings, earrings, watches, and even glasses if they are deemed a security risk. If they are allowed to keep their shoes or sneakers, the laces are removed. If the offender remains in jail for any length of time, the Pennington County Jail will allow a friend or family member to pick up the inmate's property if the offender gives written authorization for a named person to do so. To find out the days and times for picking up an inmate's property, and what you will need to bring to verify your identity, call the jail at 218-416-7097 during business hours.

Q: How long does the Pennington County Jail booking process take?

How long does the Pennington County Jail booking process take? Booking can take anywhere from an hour to 24 hours or more. It all depends on the number of people that are awaiting processing, the number of staff on duty at the time, and the behavior of the offender. If the offender is heavily intoxicated and/or violent, the Booking Officer may decide to stick the offender in a holding cell for several hours until they become more manageable. What happens after an offender is booked into the Pennington County Jail? At this point the offender will be allowed to make a free phone call to a person of their choice to notify them of their arrest, and/or arrange a bond or bail for their release. If the offender is being detained and housed while awaiting arraignment, the Pennington County Jail will provide a jail garment and slip-on shoes, a blanket, sheets, soap, toothbrush, toothpaste, and a towel. Often, before they are dressed in the jail outfit and brought to their housing location, they will be forced to take a shower and undergo a disinfectant treatment for body and hair lice, scabies or other pests that may be residing on their person.

Question 1

How Do You Find Someone in the Pennington County Jail?

Answer

To search for an inmate in the Pennington County Jail, review their criminal charges, the amount of their bond, when they can get visits, or even view their mugshot, go to the Official Jail Inmate Roster, or call the jail at 218-416-7097 for the information you are looking for. You can also look up any offender's court case online with the Minnesota Court Records Online application.

Pennington County Jail Inmate Search

The Pennington County Jail maintains an average of 74 offenders in custody on any given day. The Pennington County Jail has a monthly turnover of 40% of their inmate population, another 30% turnover every 90 days, another 20% every six months, and approximately 10% stay incarcerated between six and twelve months. Every year Pennington County law enforcement agencies arrest and detain approximately 1,480 offenders.

The following charts of Pennington County inmate population demographics are updated daily. The information shown is for today. For research purposes we have broken down the inmates by sex, age, ethnicity, and criminal charges.

The information is compiled from the Pennington County Corrections Department, the state of Minnesota Department of Corrections, as well as the United States Department of Justice and Census Bureau records. It represents every person in custody in Pennington County.

For complete information on how to get directions, bond, visit, mail, send and receive email and texts, receive phone calls, and send money or commissary to an inmate, find arrest information for Pennington County and other counties surrounding this one, scroll down this page. We have a section for each.

We also provide photos of the jail that we have collected over the years.

⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less

Question 2

About the Pennington County Jail

Answer

The 74-bed Pennington County Jail is responsible for the housing and care of those who are accused or convicted of committing a misdemeanor or felony in Pennington County as they wait for their trial or as they serve their sentence, usually less than one year.

It serves many law enforcement organizations including the Sheriff’s Department, local police, Immigration, and other surrounding counties as needed.

If you have questions regarding an inmate or the programs and services provided, the staff can be reached at 218-416-7097, and an online listing of all the detainees is published for your own investigation.

Upon intake, the booking process is completed, which includes a medical screening, fingerprinting and mugshots, DNA sample, along with an assessment to determine security needs, medical needs, mental health requirements, and housing assignment.

Staff is available to transport all inmates to court dates and any medical appointments or emergency needs, as well as inspecting all mail for contraband, receiving commissary funds and other money for inmates, maintaining the safety of the community and the security of the facility, and other tasks.

The Pennington County Jail also provides several other services to inmates including basic needs in meals, laundry, and hygiene items, and programs including AA, counseling, religious programs, education, recreation, and opportunities to grow social and life skills.

Along with the efforts made by the staff, reduced recidivism is seen when inmates are able to stay in contact and supported by their family or friends who are not incarcerated so mail, phones, and visits are provided.

Visits are in person, and are via video and an account is created online to book and complete visits, allowing both visitors and inmates to schedule a visit.

Phone accounts are also registered online, and allow for inmates to make outgoing calls during the daytime and evening hours when they are not participating in a task or program.

Information for money for an inmate’s commissary can be found on our Inmate Money page.

All personal mail is sent to:

Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Pennington County Jail
102 1st Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701

Staff will open each piece and look for contraband, which is removed before it is given to the inmate.

Legal mail, money orders, books and newspaper and magazine subscriptions are mailed to:

Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Pennington County Jail
102 1st Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701

Jail (Main): 218-416-7097
Inmate Voice Mail: 218-416-1120

⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less

Question 3

Recent Bookings & Arrests

Answer

Steps involved in booking at Pennington County Jail

After an arrest, the individual is brought to Pennington County Jail for the booking process. This procedure involves identifying the person, determining charges, and deciding whether they’ll be released on their own recognizance, posted for bail, or held until court.

Remaining silent is highly recommended, as anything said can later be used in court. Wait for legal advice before responding to questions.

The booking process typically involves the following steps at Pennington County Jail:

Identification confirmation.
Photographs (mugshots).
Answering questions regarding health and criminal background.
Potential DNA collection.
Conducting a physical search.
Seizing personal property.
Providing a free phone call.

Booking timeframes vary, ranging from one hour to up to 48 hours. For details on an offender’s bail or bond, call Pennington County Jail at 218-416-7097.

⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less

Question 4

Directions / Map to the Pennington County Jail

Answer

⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less

Question 5

Inmate Bail and Bonding

Answer

How to pay bail in Pennington County for an arrestee

Once an individual is booked at Pennington County Jail in Thief River Falls, options for their release include:

1. Release without paying bail, with a commitment to appear in court.
2. Continued detention until their court date.
3. Release upon paying a bail or bond. Call 218-416-7097 for the bail amount.

Bail can be paid through various methods.

Cash, money orders, or credit cards are accepted for payment.
A licensed bail bondsman in Pennington County can assist with the process.
Property located in the county may be used as bail collateral.

For more details on the bail process in Pennington County, Minnesota, visit the Pennington County Jail Bail Page.

Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less

Question 6

Inmate Visitation

Answer

How Do You Visit an Inmate in the Pennington County Jail? What is the Schedule?

Pennington County Jail ON-SITE VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE

102 First Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701
218-416-7097

You must be on the inmate's visitor list.
The actual visitation times may depend on the inmate and their housing location. Call 218-416-7097 and get your inmate's times and make an appointment to visit.
Visitors must have a government issued photo ID.
Dress professionally with non-revealing clothing.

ON SITE VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE - SCHEDULE THROUGH INMATE CANTEEN.COM

DAY	TIMES
SUNDAY	9:30AM - 11:10AM 1:00PM - 5:20PM 6:30PM - 8:40PM 7:00PM - 8:40PM
MONDAY	7:30AM - 8:40AM 9:30 AM - 11:10AM 7:00PM - 8:40PM
TUESDAY	9:30AM - 11:10AM
WEDNESDAY	7:30AM - 8:40AM 9:30 AM - 11:10AM 7:00PM - 8:40PM
THURSDAY	7:30AM - 8:40AM 9:30 AM - 11:10AM 7:00PM - 8:40PM
FRIDAY	9:30AM - 11:10AM
SATURDAY	9:30AM - 11:10AM 1:00PM - 5:20PM 6:30PM - 8:40PM 7:00PM - 8:40PM

Pennington County Jail uses the services of Inmate Canteen for 'At the Jail' Visitation with Inmates.

For best results use Google Chrome as your browser for accessing Inmate Canteen.
Instructions on Inmate Video Visitation:

Register or Log in to your account
Select the facility where the inmate is located and the inmate you wish to visit.
Select the "Video Visit an Inmate" option
Follow the prompts on screen to schedule the visit.

Video Visitation must be done from a computer using Google Chrome and an updated Adobe Flash player. Before starting this process you must make sure that your Adobe Flash player is fully updated and that you are using Google Chrome. First... Set up Flash, then restart your computer and then go to Google Chrome on your desktop or laptop computer and log on to Inmate Canteen.
Steps Inmate canteen Visitation:
1. Go to www.inmatecanteen.com on a computer (not supported on mobile devices i.e. tablets, cell phones, etc)
2. Log in, select your inmate, and select the Video Visit an Inmate option.
3. You will be required to fill out a form, submit a driver's license picture and a picture of your face. Once submitted, Pennington County Jail will either approve or deny it.
4. Once approved you will be all set to video visit!
NOTES: Make sure you are allowing flash player to run in google chrome by selecting the lock icon to left of the browser. Flash Player needs to be set to “allow”. Then you can refresh the page and it should be good to go. If flash player is being blocked you will not be able to take a picture or see any video during the visitation. When you click on the video visitation link on the website, please visit the Audition Room to test your equipment. To find the Audition Room, please click on 'Video Visit an Inmate' and it will be located on the top of your screen. Here you can test and verify that your webcam and microphone are working. We highly recommend a hard line for video visiting, unstable internet can result in poor visit qualities.

How to Have Remote Video Visits with an Inmate in Pennington County

To register and sign up for a remote visitation account with Inmate Canteen to communicate with your Pennington County Jail inmate, follow the instructions below:

Register and create an account with your Pennington County inmate using Inmate Canteen.
Inmate Canteen has excellent quality video visits between your home device and a video terminal in the inmate's housing area at Pennington County Jail.
You can also send and receive secure messages and use them to make and receive phone calls with your Pennington County inmate.
This is a fee based service.

Instructions for Inmate Video Visitation:
- Register or Log in to your account
- Select Pennington County Jail and the inmate you wish to visit.
- Select the "Video Visit an Inmate" option
- Follow the prompts on screen to schedule the visit.

For all the information you need to know, including instructions, policies, tips and solutions to possible issues regarding visiting with an inmate (both at the jail and remotely) in Pennington County, visit our full page guide.

NOTE: All video visits are recorded and stored. Whatever you talk about, can and will be used against your inmate in court. Never discuss their pending criminal case!
Also, be warned that some video visits providers are collecting voice prints for a database which law enforcement agencies are building.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Inmate Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.

Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less

Question 7

Remote Video Visitation

Answer

Can I Use My Computer or Phone to Have a Remote Video Visit with an Inmate in the Pennington County Jail?

Pennington County Jail uses the services of Inmate Canteen for Remote Video Visitation with Inmates.

For best results use Google Chrome as your browser for accessing Inmate Canteen.
Instructions on Inmate Video Visitation:

Register or Log in to your account
Select the facility where the inmate is located and the inmate you wish to visit.
Select the "Video Visit an Inmate" option
Follow the prompts on screen to schedule the visit.

Video Visitation must be done from a computer using Google Chrome and an updated Adobe Flash player. Before starting this process you must make sure that your Adobe Flash player is fully updated and that you are using Google Chrome. First... Set up Flash, then restart your computer and then go to Google Chrome on your desktop or laptop computer and log on to Inmate Canteen.
Steps Inmate canteen Visitation:
1. Go to www.inmatecanteen.com on a computer (not supported on mobile devices i.e. tablets, cell phones, etc)
2. Log in, select your inmate, and select the Video Visit an Inmate option.
3. You will be required to fill out a form, submit a driver's license picture and a picture of your face. Once submitted, Pennington County Jail will either approve or deny it.
4. Once approved you will be all set to video visit!
NOTES: Make sure you are allowing flash player to run in google chrome by selecting the lock icon to left of the browser. Flash Player needs to be set to “allow”. Then you can refresh the page and it should be good to go. If flash player is being blocked you will not be able to take a picture or see any video during the visitation. When you click on the video visitation link on the website, please visit the Audition Room to test your equipment. To find the Audition Room, please click on 'Video Visit an Inmate' and it will be located on the top of your screen. Here you can test and verify that your webcam and microphone are working. We highly recommend a hard line for video visiting, unstable internet can result in poor visit qualities.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Video Remote Visitation Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.

Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less

Question 8

Inmate Money Accounts

Answer

How Do You Deposit Money for an Inmate in the Pennington County Jail?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Inmate Money and Trust Fund Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.

Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less

Question 9

Inmate Phone Contact

Answer

How Do I Receive Phone Calls from an Inmate in the Pennington County Jail?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Inmate Phone Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.

Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less

Question 10

Mailing an Inmate

Answer

How do I Mail an Inmate in the Pennington County Jail, and what can I send them?

Pennington County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines

Postcards
The Pennington County Jail allows inmates to receive pre-metered postcards like the type purchased from the post office. They may also allow certain photo postcards as long as they have not been tampered with or contain images that may be considered to be obscene or violent in nature. It is best to only use blue or black ink. Always include your name and return address.

Envelopes
The Pennington County Jail also allows envelopes to be mailed to inmates. It is best to only use blue or black ink.

Postcards and envelopes MUST HAVE the sender's full name and return address on the envelope.

Postcards and envelopes MUST be mailed to the following address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Pennington County Jail
102 1st Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701

Legal Mail

Send all Legal Mail to this Address:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Pennington County Jail
102 1st Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701

Newspapers
Newspapers may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher.

Magazines
News, special interest or sports magazines may also be mailed to an inmate as long as they are shipped directly from the publisher. Any magazines that contain profanity, weapons, pornography or other content that is adult in nature will be confiscated by the jail staff and will NOT be delivered to the inmate.

Books
The Pennington County Jail allows books to be mailed directly to the jail from a reputable source such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble or Books-A-Million. You can order them directly from your computer and have them shipped to the inmate at the address noted.
Books must NOT contain images or content that are considered excessively violent, pornographic or obscene. Any book that does not meet the Pennington County Jail standards will be disposed of.
Hard cover books will not be accepted by the jail due to their potential to be used as a weapon.

All newspapers, magazines and books are to be shipped to:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Pennington County Jail
102 1st Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701

Pennington County Jail Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?

For inmates receiving mail in the Pennington County Jail there are different addresses and policies depending on the inmate's status, as well as what type of mail they are receiving; personal mail, legal mail, subscriptions or books sent from a third-party such as Amazon.

All mail is to be shipped to the Pennington County Jail:
Inmate's Full Name & Inmate ID #
Pennington County Jail
102 1st Street West
Thief River Falls, MN 56701

For complete information on mail policies, what you can send an inmate and what address to send them, check out our Inmate Mail page.

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Inmate Mail Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.

Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less

Question 11

Inmate Commissary

Answer

Can I purchase Commissary Online for an Inmate in the Pennington County Jail, and what can I purchase?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Commissary Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.

Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less

Question 12

Texting and Emailing an Inmate

Answer

How Can I Communicate with an Inmate in the Pennington County Jail using an Online Messaging Service?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Text and Email Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.

Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less

Question 13

Inmate Tablets

Answer

Do Inmates in the Pennington County Jail have Access to Tablets or Computers?

We’ve compiled a list of Frequently Asked Questions and Answers for everything you need to know about Pennington County Jail’s Tablet Policies, Rules and Guidelines. If you still have questions after reviewing these FAQs, call 218-416-7097 for further assistance.

Learn even more ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less

Question 14

Are there photos of the Pennington County Jail? What does it look like?

Answer

View photos of the Pennington County Jail ⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less

Question 15

Other Jails Nearby

Answer

What are the other Jails in the Neighboring Counties surrounding Pennington County?

⇓ Learn more ⇓ Show less

Pennington County Jail

Search for an Inmate in Pennington County

Pennington County Jail Information

Steps involved in booking at Pennington County Jail

How to pay bail in Pennington County for an arrestee

Pennington County Jail ON-SITE VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE

How to Have Remote Video Visits with an Inmate in Pennington County

Pennington County Jail uses the services of Inmate Canteen for Remote Video Visitation with Inmates.

Pennington County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines

Pennington County Jail Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?

Search for an Inmate in Pennington County

Pennington County Jail

Search for an Inmate in Pennington County

Pennington County Jail Information

Steps involved in booking at Pennington County Jail

How to pay bail in Pennington County for an arrestee

Pennington County Jail ON-SITE VIDEO VISITATION SCHEDULE

How to Have Remote Video Visits with an Inmate in Pennington County

Pennington County Jail uses the services of Inmate Canteen for Remote Video Visitation with Inmates.

Pennington County Jail Inmate Mail Guidelines

Pennington County Jail Inmate Mail Policies and Address - What Can You Send, and Where?

Search for an Inmate in Pennington County

Inmate SearchPennington County & City of Thief River Falls

Inmate SearchState of Minnesota and Federal Lockups

Pennington County JailContact Information